• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.331-340
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• 1993

This study investigate the epidemiological feature of Metagonimus infection in Kangwon-do (province). The average Infection rate of the surveyed inhabitants was 7.8% (83 positives out of 1, 067 examinees) by stool examination; male, 11.4% and female, 3.2%, respectively. The egg positive rate in residents in the Som river area was 7.3%, that of the Chuchon river area 6.3%, the Pyongchang river area 12.8%, the Tong river area 3.8%, the Hongchon river area 9.8%, and the Ohsip stream area of Samchok 8.0%,respectively. The average metacercarial infection rate of genus Metagonimus in the fish was 81.0% (256 positives out of 318 fish). The infected fleshes were Zacco platypus. Zacco teminki, Opswiichthys biens, Squdidis sp., Corqssius carassius, etc. in western Kangwon-do Meanwhile, in the Ohsip stream area of Samchok-gun, eastern costal Kangwon-do, the infected fish were Plecoglossus altivelis and Tribolodon hokonensis. The rats and dogs are infected with the metcercanae obtained from Zacco platypus and Opsariichthys biens, adult worms collected were Miyata type of Metagonimus with some M. takahashii. When infected with metacercariae from Plecoglossus ltivelis, Metagonimus yokogowai was only found. M. yoogawai and Metagonimus Mlyata type were fecund together in Tribolodon hakonenis in Ohsip stream area of Samchok, in the eastern Kangwon-do. The intestinal flukes of genus Metogonimus in western Kangwon-do were Miyata type of MetQnonimuT and M. takahashii transmitting mainly by Zacco platypus and Opsariichtys bidens as a source of infection. In the eastern part of Kangwon province (Ohsip stream area of Samchok), M. yokogowai was mainly distributed by P. altivelis and T. hakonesis, but some T. hakonensis harbored the metacercariae of Miyata type of Metagonimus with those of M. yokogawai.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2020

Tryptamines are monoamine alkaloids with hallucinogenic properties and are widely abused worldwide. To hasten the regulations of novel substances and predict their abuse potential, we designed and synthesized four novel synthetic tryptamine analogs: Pyrrolidino tryptamine hydrochloride (PYT HCl), Piperidino tryptamine hydrochloride (PIT HCl), N,N-dibutyl tryptamine hydrochloride (DBT HCl), and 2-Methyl tryptamine hydrochloride (2-MT HCl). Then, we evaluated their rewarding and reinforcing effects using the conditioned place preference (CPP) and self-administration (SA) paradigms. We conducted an open field test (OFT) to determine the effects of the novel compounds on locomotor activity. A head-twitch response (HTR) was also performed to characterize their hallucinogenic properties. Lastly, we examined the effects of the compounds on 5-HTR1a and 5-HTR2a in the prefrontal cortex using a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay. None of the compounds induced CPP in mice or initiated SA in rats. PYT HCl and PIT HCl reduced the locomotor activity and elevated the 5-HTR1a mRNA levels in mice. Acute and repeated treatment with the novel tryptamines elicited HTR in mice. Furthermore, a drug challenge involving a 7-day abstinence from drug use produced higher HTR than acute and repeated treatments. Both the acute treatment and drug challenge increased the 5-HTR2a mRNA levels. Ketanserin blocked the induced HTR. Taken together, the findings suggest that PYT HCl, PIT HCl, DBT HCl, and 2-MT HCl produce hallucinogenic effects via 5-HTR2a stimulation, but may have low abuse potential.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.6
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• pp.671-680
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• 2019

Cathepsin D (CatD, EC 3.4.23.5) is a member belonging to the subfamily of aspartic endopeptidases, which are classified into the MEROPS clan AA, family A1. Helminth parasites express a large set of different peptidases that play pivotal roles in parasite biology and pathophysiology. However, CatD is less well known than the other classes of peptidases in terms of biochemical properties and biological functions. In this study, we identified 2 novel CatDs (CsCatD1 and CsCatD2) of Clonorchis sinensis and partially characterized their properties. Both CsCatDs represent typical enzymes sharing amino acid residues and motifs that are tightly conserved in the CatD superfamily of proteins. Both CsCatDs showed similar patterns of expression in different developmental stages of C. sinensis, but CsCatD2 was also expressed in metacercariae. CsCatD2 was mainly expressed in the intestines and eggs of C. sinensis. Sera obtained from rats experimentally infected with C. sinensis reacted with recombinant CsCatD2 beginning 2 weeks after infection and the antibody titers were gradually increased by maturation of the parasite. Structural analysis of CsCatD2 revealed a bilobed enzyme structure consisting of 2 antiparallel β-sheet domains packed against each other forming a homodimeric structure. These results suggested a plausible biological role of CsCatD2 in the nutrition and reproduction of parasite and its potential utility as a serodiagnostic antigen in clonorchiasis.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.215-224
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• 1997

Gamijiyu-tang (GJT) described originally in the Dong Eui Bo Gam, a traditional reference for oriental medicine in the Korea, has been clinically used for treatment of chronic liver disease. In order to evaluate scientifcally a hepatoprotective effect of GJT in the liver fibrotic disease, the present study investigated how GJT improves a hepatic function in the dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-treated rat. DMN treatment caused a significant increase of relative liver weight to the body at 28 days after DMN induction. Administration of with a clinical dose decreased significantly the sAST level $(158.8{\pm}7.76\;IU/L)$ elevated by DMN in jection (p<0.01). A similar phenomenon was also observed at change of both Salt and Salt level in the GJT and/or DMN-treated animal (p<0.01, p<0.05, respectively). A remarkable increase of hydroxyproline was observed by treatment of DMN with comparing to the normal rat $(361.9{\pm}7.35\;vs.\;1278.1{\pm}52.9\;{\mu}g/g\;tissue,\;p<0.01)$. This was significantly reduced by a simultaneous treatment of GJT with DMN for 21 days (p<0.05), but not recovered completely to its normal value. In addition. GJT administration ameliorated conspicuously the DMN-induces histopathological changes of liver such as hemorrhage. Cell necrosis and fibrosis. Tak'en together, results described here demonstrated scientifically in first the medicinal efficacy of GJT by using in vivo animal model, indicating that GJT improves the DMN-induced hepatic injury through reducing an excessive accumulation of collagen and histopathological changes. The decreased collagen content may be a pivotal process for GJT to improve hepatic function in the DMN-induced liver fibrosis. The present study suggests that GJT may be useful for and applicable to the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in chronic liver disease.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.441-447
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• 2003

To examine the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in regulation of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1$\beta$)-induced iNOS expression, IL-1$\beta$-induced nitrite production was observed in cultured vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells pretreated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and phorbol 12,13-butyrate (PDB) as PKC activator; 4$\alpha$-phorbol-didecanoate (PDD) as PKC non-activator. Nitrite production induced by IL-1$\beta$ was increased by the presence of increasing concentration of PMA ranging from 2 to 200 nM. However, in VSM cells pretreated with PMA and PDB, IL-1$\beta$-induced $NO_2$ production was decreased in proportion to the duration of pretreatment, and most significantly decreased in pretreatment time of 24 hours. Using RT-PCR method, the expression of iNOS mRNA induced by IL-1$\beta$ was decreased in VSM cells pretreated with PMA 200 nM for 24 hours. These results suggest that decrease in IL-I$\beta$-induced nitrite production by the pretreatment of PMA result from inhibition of iNOS expression and the inhibition related to PMA-induced PKC down-regulation.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.125-142
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• 2010

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of neuronal activities for the acupuncture and laser acupuncture application. Methods: The subject were divided into 7 groups as control group without acupuncture, acupuncture treatment with tonify manipulation with the direction of channel at HT9, LR1(AT-A), acupuncture treatment with purge manipulation against the direction of channel at HT3, Kl10(AT-B), acupuncture treatment with tonify manipulation with the direction of channel at HT9, LR1 and purge manipulation against the direction of channel at HT3, KI10(AT-C), laser acupuncture treatment with red light 658 nm at HT9, LR1(LAT-A), laser acupuncture treatment with green light 532 nm at HT3, KI10(LAT-B), laser acupuncture treatment with red light 658 nm at HT9, LR1 and green light 532 nm at HT3, KI10(LAT-B). Antiapopotic effect of acupuncture was observed by Bax, Bcl-2 and cytochrome C. Neuroprotective effect of acupuncture was observed by cresyl violet and ChAT. Results: AT-A, AT-B, AT-C, LAT-A, LAT-B and LAT-C groups were significantly increased comparing the control groups in expression ChAT and in neuroprotective effect by cresyl violet. AT-A, AT-B, AT-C, LAT-A, LAT-B and LAT-C groups were significantly decreased comparing the control groups in expression Bax. AT-C, LAT-A, LAT-B and LAT-C groups were significantly increased comparing the control groups in expression Bcl-2. AT-A, AT-B, AT-C, LAT-A, LAT-B and LAT-C groups were significantly decreased comparing the control groups in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. LAT-B and LAT-C groups were significantly decreased comparing the control groups in expression cytochrome C. Conclusions: The acupuncture with tonify and purge manipulation and laser acupuncture with red and green light could be effective for antiapopotic and neuroprotective effect in focal brain ischemia.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.98-104
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• 2006

The more the population grow, the severer the shortage of a basic human needs such as clean water, food, energy resources and so on. Recently, we aware that deep sea water can be utilized to solve comprehensively food, energy and water problems. In this study, inhibitory effect of the deep sea water of east coast (DSW) on platelet aggregation were investigated using washed platelet and beneficial effect of the change of lipid concentration on serum at various time intervals for three weeks. In this study six groups of 6-month-old Sparague-Dawley rats were examined. An intact group served as controls (C-1D : breeding for one day, C-1W : breeding for one week, C-3W : breeding for three week). The fourth group (1D-DSW) supplemented with DSW for one day. The fifth group (1W-DSW)supplemented with DSW for a week. The sixth group (3W-DSW)supplemented with DSW for three weeks. The total cholesterol and triglyceride concentration on serum of supplemented groups with the DSW for one or three weeks were significantly decreased. The serum HDL-cholesterol level in the DSW groups were significantly higher than the level in the control group. The supplementation of DSW for one day did not appear to have such a beneficial effect on lipid level. The ability of platelet aggregation of supplemented groups with DSW was less than control group. These results suggest that supplementation with DSW is positively influence on lipid concentration and platelet aggregation.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.57-64
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• 1971

The organ distribution study and the whole body scan were done in the albino rats at intervals of 5, 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after the intravenous injection of $^{99m}TC$-pertechnetate absorbed in Sephadex beads of $20{\sim}80$ micra in diameter. Effect of additional injection of physiological saline and saline absorbed in Sephadex beads of $20{\sim}80$ micra in diameter on the scan and organ distribution were also studied. The results were as follows. 1. Five minutes after the injection of $^{99m}TC$-pertechnetate absorbed in Sephadex beads of $20{\sim}80$ micra in diameter, Sephadex was well trapped in the lungs, with which the excellent lung scan was obtained. Two hours after the injection, kidneys were well visualized instead of lungs, which suggested that kidney acts as the excretory organ. Five minutes prior to scan, additional injection of physiological saline absorbed in Sephadex above mentioned was done. The bladder was also well visualized together with the kidneys. 2. In the distribution studies, most of radioactivity was detected in the lungs at 5 minutes and was gradually transferred chiefly to the kidneys and bladder and partly to the liver. 3. Additional injection of physiological saline resulted in a rapid transfer of $^{99m}TC$ trapped in the lung to both the kidneys and liver. 4. Additional injection of physiological saline absorbed in Sephadex beads of $20{\sim}80$ micra in diameter resulted in a rapid transfer of $^{99m}TC$ trapped in the lung to only the urinary system. 5. Results of these studies suggested that; a) Other nutrients and therapeutic compounds may be carried into the lungs along with Sephadex beads and then released in high concentration, which would exert greater therapeutic effect locally than that of the usual administration. b) Some radionuclides absorbed in Sephadex could be used as the lung scan agents, the flushing out of which by Sephadex-saline also give satisfactory renal and bladder scans. c) Other potent therapeutic radionuclides could be retained for some time by this method, which can be in the lungs easily flushed out within 2 hours.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.192-197
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• 1997

Italian ryegrass, red clover, sorghum, and alfalfa were used for leaf protein preparation. Fresh leaves were pulped in the presence or absence of a reducing agent(sodium ascorbate or NaHSO$_{4}$) and green juice was heated and washed with acetone. The biological evaluation of leaf proteins was carried out by the growth method with male rats weighing about 45g. Italian ryegrass, red clover, and sorghum were brown when leaves were pulped in the absence of a reducing agent. On the other hand, alfalfa had neither o-diphenolics nor polyphenolase, and hence the alfalfa leaf protein did not brown during pulping ever in the absence of a reducing agent. The brown leaf protein from Italian ryegrass hd lower digestibility than the leaf protein protected from browning, although there were no difference in growth-promoting effect and protein efficiency ratio(PER)between the two leaf protein. The feeding of brown leaf protein from red clover resulted in the lowering of weight gain, digestibility, and PER, and all the measurement including diet intake were lowered by feeding the brown leaf protein from sorghum. In the case of alfalfa leaf protein, there were no difference in nutritional quality between the two leaf protein made with and without an attempt to prevent browning. The results mentioned above indicate that the occurrence of phenolics and polyphemolase in a crop in responsible for the browning of leaf protein and that the browning of leaf protein caused its nutritional impairment.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2013

The present study was performed to increase the availability of sweet (Ipomoea batatas) and to develop dinner roll with the reducing ability of blood glucose levels. Different contents of lyophilized sweet potato powder (SPP) were added in dinner roll. Compare to the control group, batter density, a value, hardness, and cohesiveness of the SPP-treated groups were significantly increased while dough expansion rate, baking loss rate, L value, and Hue angle were significantly decreased. Twenty four Sprague-Dawley rats were administered with the SPP-treated diet for 4 weeks after diabetes was induced with the injection of streptozotocin. The blood glucose concentration of the SPP-treated group was significantly lower than that of the control. Although the SPP-treated groups possessed the ability of reducing blood glucose level, the sensory qualities were inferior to the control. Thus, follow-up study was required to improve the sensory characteristics as well as the texture properties.